Building structure



May 5, 1942- R. G. LE IfQURNE/w 2,281,981

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR P.GLeYburneau ATTORNEYS May 5 1942- R. G. LE TOURNEAU- 21,281,981

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 16, 1940. 3 SheetS-Sheet 5 INVENTOR R. GeYbu'rneu ATTORNEYS Patented 5, 1942 einen BUILDING STRUCTURE Robert G. Le Tourneau, Peora,'lll., assigner to R. G. Le Tourneen, Inc., a. corporation Application september 1c, 1940, serial No. 356,939.

(cl. s-1) 7 Claims.

This invention relates in general to animproved building structure, und in particular the invention comprises improvements in building structures which constitute en assembly of connected, pre'iabricated panel units or sections.

The principal oblect oi the instant invention is to produce, in a building structure, e roof, of sell-supporting dome type, made up of a multiwhich include spaced inner and outer nietellic sheets 4 secured in rigid relation by tie straps or plicity of prefabrlcated und metallic panel units l A further object of the invention is to employ e. novel form of nlovelrale,I inside scaold or sweep designed to facilitate erection. of the dome structure, und to assure proper-positioning, elinement, etc., oi the preiubricated sections as the same ere brought into place.

A further object of the invention is to produce n.' simple und inexpensive structure and yet one which will be exceedingly eective for the purpose for which it is deed.

These objects i accomplish by means of such structure und relative errnngement of puits us will fully app'eer .by e perusal of the following specification `und claims.

in .the druwlngs similar characters oi reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure l is e iregnientery somewhat diagrern= inutlc top pien View ci. the dome structure.

Figure 2 is u sectional elevation oi e completed building embog the improved dome structure.

Figure 3 is e. side view ol one of the prefabriceted panel sections.

e d is end view of one of the prefabriceted panel sections; f

Figure 5 .is e, fragmentary elevation oi the movable scaold illustrating the manner of its use to support and locate the prefabricated panel sections.

Referring now more particularly to the cheracters oi reference on the drawings, the invention is heredisclosed as embodied in en auditorium or the like oi circular conguration; such auditorium comprising generally a vertical side bracing struts 6; each sheet having inturned anges C about its edges. In general, these panel sections are constructed in the manner shown in my issued United States Patent No. 2,180,830, dated November 21, i939..

The circular side wall l is mede up ci a multi plicity of elongated rectangularpenel sections indicated generally at 'l disposed on end und with the abutting flanges d forming `an exposed seem which is Welded together; while the dome structure comprises the following assembly of panel sections indicated generally at il.

The multiplicity of panel sections il forming the dome are disposed in a plurality oi horizcntel and circular courses Q, such courses progressively reducing in diameter from the lowermost upward. but all being the sume redini width.

Each panel section il forming the dome is curved both clrcuinferentially and radially to a predetermined extent; i. e., is prefebricatedin the form of e smelly portion or segment of the sphere of which the dome for e. pert. These panel sections are elongated und entend length wise in d directionredinlly ci? the dome. Euch such panel section is ci substentielly the suine width ut its lower end, but decreasing in width toward its upper end; the side edges being redini with seid dome, and thus causing tlie joints nl the dierent courses to loe breiten, es is desireble. By forming ell the panel sections oilsubstentinlly the same width et the lower end, preiebricetion of the panels is facilitated und cost ci mnnuimla ture reduced. Y

The panel sections es erected in course by course have the iienges thereof engeging the iianges of the adjacent sections, end such en gaged nanges forming seems which ere welded together exteriorly und interiorly oi the dome.

' into rigid assembly.

wall l, entry doors 2 therein, and a self-supporting dome type roof 3.

Both the side wall l und the dome 3 are con- It is also to be noted that the nenges t ci' ell the panels are disposed in planes radially of the center of the sphere of which the dome forms a portion, whereby the sections, which are relatively deep, tend to wedge into euch other when assembled.

In order to facilitate erection of the above described dome, a unique iorm oi interior and movable scaffold ,or sweepf is employed; such scaffold being shown in Fig. 5-.

This scaffold comprises a central, vertical member or post l0 turnably mounted at its lower end in a supporting base Il. A truss type scatfold assembly, indicated generally at I2, radiates in opposite directions, in clearance relation to the floor, from post I and terminates short of but adjacent side wall i. The upper edge of this scaffold is of a configuration generally symmetrical to that of the dome, and is disposed in a plane relatively close to but inwardly of the plane to be occupied by the inner surfaceof the dome.

Panel section supporting jacks I3 are detach ably mounted on and project upwardly from the scaffold in longitudinally spaced relation, as shown in Fig. 5. Each panel section is swung into approximate position by a crane (not shown), and is then exactly located -by jacks I3. In order that a workman can manipulate the jacks, as Well as Weld the interior seams, I provide a platform I4 suspended by cables l5 from cross bars I6 on the upper portion of the scalifold. VAs is obvious, the scaffold will be swung asentar tions, the anges of the sections engaging corresponding anges of adjacent sections, and means securing the panel sections together.

2. A structure as in claim 1 in which said means comprises'welding at the seam formed by engaged corresponding iianges of the panel sections.

3. A dome structure of spherical conguration comprising a plurality of circumferential courses of Prefabricated relatively deep panel sections, inturned peripheral flanges on the panel sections extending radially of the dome, the ilanges of the sections engaging corresponding flanges of adjaabout its axis as each course is being erected,

and by suitable releasable connection,` both jacks I3 and cross bars I6 may be moved up the scaffold as each course of the dome is completed. The parts of the scaioldare all detachably bolted together, so that said scaiold maybe dismantled and withdrawn through doors 2 when the dome is finished. l

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a structure as substantially fulfills the objects of the -claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz 1. A dome structure of spherical configuration.

comprising a plurality of circumferential courses of prefabricated panel sections, the side edges of each panel section being radial of the dome, inturned flanges about the edges of said panel seccent sections, and means securing adjacent sections together i'n rigid relation.

4. A dome structure of spherical configuration comprising a plurality of circumferential courses of prefabricated panel sections, inturned peripheral ii'anges on the panel sections extending radially of the dome, the iianges of the sections engaging corresponding flanges of adjacent sections, and means securing adjacent sections together in rigid relation; each of said panel sections in all the courses being of substantially the same width at its lower end.

5. A structure as in claim 1 in which. the flanges on the panel sections are disposed in planes radially of the center of the sphere of which the dome forms a portion.

6. A structure as in claim l in which the panel sections include inner and outer panels spaced apart a substantial distance; the flanges extending about the edges of both panels and being disposed in planes radially of the center of the sphere of which the domeforms a portion.

'7. A dome of spherical configuration comprising an assembly ,of elongated and prefabricated @relatively deep panel sections erected in edge to edge engagement; each panel section being curved both radially and circumferentially of the dome, and peripheral flanges along the edges of each panel disposed in a plane radially of the dome.

ROBERT G. LE TOURNEAU. 

